Test drove a 2021 Gladiator and ...

This is a Jeep... I think you have a Fiat. Enjoy your new ride. Congrats!

 

Unfortunately you can't just give it back. You have to go through the lemon law process, which I started to do based on days out of service. When FCA got the official notification from the state, miraculously the new head appeared and the problem was fixed, so I had no legal recourse to force them to take it back. It was just less of a headache to trade it in on a Toyota, and fortunately I got a gread deal so I didn't get beat up too badly on the swap.

 

Not sure about him, but I have a 06 LJ and never given me a single problem. Pretty low miles though. I've had it from 20k miles till now where it has about 85k miles. If the Gladiator had come out before I got my taco I would have sold my Jeep, and just gotten that, but I'm glad I got my Taco. I can't go smaller than a 6 foot bed I've realized, and I'm sure I'll be even happier after I get the turbo installed. I really don't drive my Jeep at all anymore, and it might be time for it to go and just go long-travel on my Taco.

 

I’d give a nut to own that.

 

I guess the only newer tacoma that kinda interests me would be the new '22 trial edition that will be coming out. I think if the price point is good and if it comes available with a 6' foot bed, that might entice me enough to get back into a taco. Of course, it will definitely be a step up from '19 with the adjustable seats and hopefully the option to opt for LED headlights. Only thing that I'll be missing would be the MTS and crawl control, which I honestly never used. I think having the rear locker standard should suffice.

I just would hope for at least a minor improvement in the auto transmission from my '19.

 

I hear you, and that sucks. I was comparing swapping it out to something that I did a few years back, which was technically a trade. Got a great deal on an F150 strictly as a tow vehicle for my boat and toy hauler. Within a month, I regretted the decision, brought it back and made a deal on the bigger 250. Dealer gave me exactly what I paid for the F150 with about 1500 more miles, but it didn't need any repairs either. 3 hours and paperwork for the swap. Seems that something like that could have been done in your case, but maybe not. I would have surely tried. Glad you made out ok on it anyway.

 

I had to have the 5ft bed

 

I just recently purchased an 04 rubicon with 109k on it.. I had a 98 TJ before that never give me fits and I put 100k on it before I sold it

 

Make sure you replace the ODPA if it hasn't been done (probably has at 109k). That's something you wouldn't have had to worry about on your 98. Hopefully you don't have issues like the other guy though, but if so sell it and I'll sell you my LJ.

 

This is the only Gladiator I would consider driving and that ain’t happening anytime soon.
https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/2020-JEEP-GLADIATOR-CUSTOM-DEMON-RUBICON-243046

 

those wheels are nice. I have a customer that comes in all the time and he has a gladiator with those Candy Red Fuel Zephyr wheels

 

I drove the gladiator on two occasions. I really did like it. Looks, they are a draw. Under the right circumstance & setup, both trucks look good IMO - I just personally feel gladiators only look good with big tires and a lift, and I can't pull that off personally without looking like a mall ninja. Usability, for the most part, for me, the Tacoma wins. The Gladiator rear door is insanely short, though entry and egress is easier with the increased roof height (which I can use at 6'2"). Tacoma had better storage. Beds are about equal, but I like the setup in the Tacoma's bed better. The interior quality is a wash for me - the ICE is bettering the Gladiator, but the "unfinished" feel of everything and the "faux bolts" and BS jeeps needs to add masculinity to everything is weak. The Gladiator ride and driving experience was WAY better - smooth, shifting, etc. - all better. Then there's the quality/reliability....that pretty much ends the conversation - Tacoma FTW. By the time I built my Tacoma into what I wanted, it cost more than a loaded gladiator Mojave or Rubicon. But its mine and I love it (except for wanting a slightly bigger cabin...).

 

I've always been a jeep guy. If they'd have turned the TJ platform into a pickup decades ago when everybody was screaming for it, they'd have had a legitimate Tacoma competitor with the 2nd gens.

I don't trust the new Fiat products at all, which is why I'm on my second Tacoma now. The old 4.0 TJ's were built like brick shithouses aside from the Dana 35 rear axle, but even that wasn't that bad if you were just running 33's

Toyota desperately needs to offer a pickup with a solid front axle here in the US for those of us that value offroad performance and customization.

I want this one of my old jeeps back, in pickup form

 

Before my Tacoma I had a 2012 JKU Sport S automatic. I enjoyed it but it was at the dealer for some issues that Toyota would never experience. I personally dont care for the rear of the Gladiator and find they are priced sky high now....rather have a TRD Pro than a Gladiator personally.

 

THIS is the Gladiator I remember.
Now it's just a name and a trim level for the Wrangler.

 

The new Gladiator looks more like a 4-door Scrambler.

 

Anyone on this thread ever own a TJ? I will be taking a look at this one tomorrow and would like to know your experience with one. This will be my daily in the meantime since we will be finally giving our 05 WRX STI a break from being a daily driver.

 

I mean, they aren't known for being daily drivers, but if you're just running around town I think it would be fine!

 

Well if we're talking dream gladiators, there is really only one that does it for me, and that's the Tremors edition.